Sermon

As the WCoC Sermon Podcast gains momentum both here at home, and on the international stage, we are proud to announce that over this past week, our application for a Google Play podcast channel has been approved.

This is great news because it now potentially doubles our reach to the world and allows a much larger audience the option to subscribe to the sermon podcasts. This is the case because it now makes it much easier for Android subscribers to dial in to the podcast using native apps. Previously it was sometimes necessary to install additional apps to access the Apple-based iTunes podcasts because of course the iPhone devices favor iTunes; whereas Google Play is favored by Android.

At the time of writing this article, the WCoC podcasts have had over 2,300 hits. These have been largely in the US, but we have also seen high numbers of hits in some surprising countries including Japan (see previous article) and more recently a growing following in the Netherlands.

We hope that by adding Google Play as a new way to access our podcasts, we will continue to increase our listener base around the globe.

It is fascinating how this new era of internet technology has opened up new and powerful ways to share the word of God and the love of Christ Jesus. Now Bob’s teachings can reach new brothers and sisters who may not otherwise have regular access to such high caliber sermons as delivered each week by our dear Minister Bob Kolodner. We are so blessed to have him as our Minister and to have regular access to his wonderful teaching and guidance.

In this week’s lesson, Bob continues his theme of living free from worry and helps us find that most precious and illusive state of mind: contentment.

Working from Genesis, Philippians and Timothy, Bob draws on some wonderful scripture that helps us find the secret of being content.

Philippians 4:10

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me.Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

In this week’s lesson, Bob talks about the things that we worry about: what makes us anxious. He then shows us how Jesus helps us to worry less through scripture. Reading from Matthew and Philippians, Bob gives us some wonderful scriptural tools to think about when we feel anxious about the future.

Matthew 6:25 – 27

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Philippians 4:4 – 7 (some scripture to live by)

Rejoice in the Lord, I will say it again, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

In this week’s sermon, Bob talks about the history off halloween and why we dress up so as not to be recognized by the spirits. However, we do want to be recognized for our other day to day costume of Christ Jesus – don’t we?

In this week’s lesson, Bob talks about Labor day, collaboration, and the Tabernacle (a model of which you can see to the left).

Reading from Exodus and John, Bob brings the story of the building of the Tabernacle to life: describing how the people worked together under Moses’ direction of God’s commands.

Exodus 25: Offerings for the Tabernacle

The Lord said to Moses,2 “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give.3 These are the offerings you are to receive from them: gold, silver and bronze;4 blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair;5 ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather; acacia wood;6 olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense;7 and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.

8 “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.9 Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.

In this week’s message, Bob talks about the importance of staying focussed on the mission. Using an excellent and distdurbing example story about a lifeboat station and how people are not saved when the mission focus is lost: we learn how it is possible to drift from the original mission and at what cost.

“People need to be saved.” Bob Kolodner – 2017-08-27

Mathew 10:24 – 25

24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master.25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!

Deuteronomy 6

Love the Lord Your God

6 These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess,2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.3 Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

In this week’s sermon, Bob teaches us how to see Jesus in our everyday lives. Using scriptural examples, we learn what we need to be able and ready for a sighting of our Lord Jesus.

Speaking of the disciples when the risen Jesus first appeared to them:

“The impossible just became possible. And defeat was replaced with victory, and dispare – with hope.” Bob Kolodner 2017-08-20

“If you are not prepared, Jesus will appear right in front of you, and you will miss him. It’s as if nothing has happened – if you are not ready for a Jesus sighting.

John 1:1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 He was with God in the beginning.3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.

Click on the Read More button for this week’s sermon Podcast. You can also subscribe to the WCOC podcast on iTunes with your iPhone or Android device.

In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa,2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

3 They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”

4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.5 Then I said:

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments,6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you.7 We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

8 “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations,9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’

10 “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand.11 Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

For this week’s sermon we are visited by an old friend of the Warrenton Church of Christ, our very own Phil Stratton. In his message, Phil brings us an interesting story of a man named John. Not the baptizer, nor the author of Gospels, no this is the story of John Newton. And if that name seems familiar to you then look up the author of the hymn Amazing Grace and you’ll see his name preserved in history. But there’s much more to John Newton’s life than a powerful and stirring hymn, so listen to this wonderful sermon captured for you in this podcast.

Before you click on the link below, you must accept my sincere apologies for some edits I had to make to this audio recording. Throughout this sermon, Phil had the congregation sing successive verses of Amazing Grace. This moved the story forward and greatly enhanced the sermon. Unfortunately my recording equipment was overloaded by the signing parts of the audio and distorted greatly, so I had to cut these out. So while Phil’s spoken message is completely in tact, it is not served as well as it deserved to be in this recording. Despite this technical setback, I hope you will greatly enjoy Phil’s wonderful message.